4 Ways to Create a Budget-Friendly Baby Nursery

Creative and money-saving ideas for making a room you and your baby will love

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There’s no need to spend big bucks outfitting a nursery for your little bundle of joy. Here are some thrifty (and nifty) ideas and tips on everything from the décor to the diaper changing station.

Find Ways to Save on Big Ticket Items

Borrow the non-essentials. Even though they can be expensive, many parents prefer to buy some must-have items new, like the car seat and stroller. But borrowing some of the extras — like a baby swing, bouncy chair, play yard, or bassinet — can be a huge money-saver.

Shop second-hand. Not all items have to be brand new for your baby, especially furniture. Find dressers and gliders at yard sales, on eBay or Craigslist, and at thrift stores. With a fresh coat of paint and a few decals or stencils, an old dresser can look new again. And, most previously owned gliders still have a lot of life left in them.

Consider cribs carefully. Buying a used crib can be tricky because you must make sure it adheres to current crib safety standards. Your best bet if you’re watching your budget is to check out convertible cribs, which convert to a toddler bed and grow with your child, saving you money in the long run. Or, if you simply can’t afford a new crib, opt for a new portable crib — which is less expensive, but just as safe, as a full-size one.

Scout Out Cheaper Alternatives

Skip the Diaper Genie. Until babies start on solid foods, diapers tend not to smell too terribly. So using an inexpensive trash can may work, at least at the beginning. Look for one with a foot pedal so you don't have to take your hand off your baby (yes, even if she's strapped in) to throw away the dirty diaper. And leave a new garbage bag or two at the bottom of the trash can (that way you don't have to dash to the pantry to get a new bag).

Ditch the dresser. Instead, line a simple bookshelf with open bins or baskets. Not only is this an inexpensive alternative, it allows you easy access to things like burp cloths, blankets and binkies—a must when you’ve got a baby in your arms and can’t open a dresser drawer.

DIY sound machine. An inexpensive white noise machine can help calm a fussy baby and lull her to sleep. But if you have an old iPod that you aren’t using, simply download a white noise app instead and save yourself a few bucks in the process.

Opt for a changing pad instead of a changing table, which is a big investment and will be outgrown in a couple of years. Save yourself the money, and simply put a pad on top of a dresser. Make sure it has a safety belt to secure your baby and that it’s made of firm, lightweight foam. Invest in a few waterproof covers so you always have a clean one, and keep an extra underneath the one you're using. That way when the contents of the diaper seep through the top cover, you can whip it off and have a clean one ready to go.

Go for Creative (Not Costly) Decor

Buy cheap picture frames from discount home goods stores and use them to display illustrations from vintage children books, scrapbook paper or inexpensive prints found on Etsy.

Decorate plain walls with stencils, decals (which are cheap and easy to remove once your child outgrows them), or even your own handprints.

Make a mobile out of string and felt shapes found at a craft store. Just make sure to tie them securely and to hang the mobile out of baby’s reach.

Use attractive toys as display items on bare shelves.

What Not to Buy

Wipe warmers and bottle warmers are not essentials and can be crossed off your list if you’re looking to save.

Same goes for a night light. Though it may make things easier for you when you stumble in for a feeding, babies this young don’t tend to be afraid of the dark.

Baby will outgrow that adorable Moses basket in a matter of months—stick with a crib for sleeping from the start.

A diaper caddie may look pretty, but consider stashing your supply on an open shelf and putting extras in your diaper bag instead to save some cash.

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